windows 10 doesn't use the startup folder

chok · 03 Sep 2017

I have a started folder here C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
it contains all shortcuts which must be launch (for current user). But they don't. (I deleted the folder, created a new one, inserted the shortcut, did not work)

when I run shell:startup it get an error ("can't find"). I'm confuse

in task manager, the startup tab contains nothing ("there is no startup items to display")

in regedit these keys contain some app that needs to be launch (diffrents apps listed there. I'm confused about which does what):
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Startu pFolder
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

How can I force windows to detect/use the startup folder? Or is there a way to reset all that mess, so I would just have to put my shortcuts into the startup folder to make it work? (Eg: Should I delete all these registry entries?)

That one might help: yesterday I made an error. I created a new user guest account, and it started to launch everything (same apps than the main account). I did not know there were 2 startup options (for all user and current user), so by mistake in task manager, I disabled every apps (I set the guest account as "admin" to do that, then put it back in "local"). So I guess it disabled "all user" startup apps. I'm now trying to make the current account startup work.

No the startup folder isn't working anymore for the main profile (I don't care anymore about the guest account)

ps:
(For all user, I also have a startup folder here C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup but I don't care about this one)

chok · 03 Sep 2017

Edit (I can't edit my own post anymore...):

running shell:common (startup for all) works (it opens C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp )

but running shell:startup (startup for current user) give an error (can't find). But using explorer I can open it in C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

lmaneke · 03 Sep 2017

The startup folder works fine on my computer. Very odd you're having issues. Hmmmm

chok · 03 Sep 2017

I found that:

those that show in Task Manager's Startup section are using certain settings that Windows detects. others that use different settings may only be shown in Task Scheduler and others in the system registry(under "current user" and "local" sections in "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"). source

But it doesnt says how I could restore the apps I disabled, and why both startup folders don't work anymore to launch apps

And by the way, the app I need to launch doesn't run as admin (people struggle because of that)

edit: for all user the path was wrong: it's C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
But it still doesnt work. There is a bug: each time I put a startup folder it add a "-copy" after the name, (hidden items are shown). Strangley the "copy" doesn't appear in the folder name, only in the explorer "url field". It seems there is a hidden startup folder I can't see, (and a bug with the folder name).

(feedback: it's a pain to don't be able to edit my posts at any time.)

Berton · 03 Sep 2017

(feedback: it's a pain to don't be able to edit the post at any time.)

I've not had problems Editing my replies or even Deleting them. The Edit is at bottom right of your post.

Bree · 03 Sep 2017

chok said:

...each time I put a startup folder it add a "-copy" after the name, (hidden items are shown). Strangley the "copy" doesn't appear in the folder name, only in the explorer "url field". It seems there is a hidden startup folder I can't see, (and a bug with the folder name)...

Maybe not a bug, perhaps there's some corruption in the ntfs structure. I'd check the drive for errors before going any further. In an admin command prompt, type:
chkdsk C: /f

This will schedule chkdsk to run at the next restart.

Callender · 03 Sep 2017

1. You need to create the shortcuts rather than copying them into the folder. Or you could cut and paste a shortcut.

2. Really those shortcuts need to be elevated.

windows 10 doesn't use the startup folder-start-up.jpg

See:
Create Elevated Shortcut without UAC prompt in Windows 10

Edit:

shell:Startup should point to %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Also check the two registry locations shown here and compare with yours.

windows 10 doesn't use the startup folder-user-shell-folders-start-up.jpg

windows 10 doesn't use the startup folder-user-shell-folders-start-up-2.jpg

mrgeek · 03 Sep 2017

"1. You need to create the shortcuts rather than copying them into the folder. Or you could cut and paste a shortcut."

This is exactly correct. The best way is to go to the folder with the exe you want in the Start folder, then r-click the exe/Create shortcut' and put it on the desktop when prompted that it can't be placed in the same folder. Then cut&paste the desktop shortcut to the App data/Start folder. This is what I do this for several programs that I want run at startup each time.

chok · 04 Sep 2017

I warmly thank you all for your amazing help. You are awesome!

@Callender I started with your recommendation since I must first make the shell:startup working.

I checked both keys:
+ Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
+ Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
They pointed to a wrong startup folder( C:\Users\Me\Music\Startup Music does not contain the startup folder ...)
So I changed the path (in another key I found with the path above) to: C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Then I rebooted, but running shell:startup still throw the error ("can't find")
I guess there is probably one or several keys I need to change, but which one?

Here is the copy bug (it's a bug since the name should be the same in the explorer url field and in the folder name)

windows 10 doesn't use the startup folder-startup2.png

Callender · 04 Sep 2017

chok said:

I checked both keys:
+ Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
+ Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
They pointed to a wrong startup folder( C:\Users\Me\Music\Startup Music does not contain the startup folder ...)
So I changed the path (in another key I found with the path above) to: C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

You should look here:
+ Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
+ Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

Then change entries for startup to

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

and not to:

C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup